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David E. Leininger

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Adult study

SermonStudio

God, The Father -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in God, the Father...." Really?
God ... Almighty -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in God, the Father almighty...." Do you now?
Maker Of Heaven And Earth -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth...." No surprise.
Jesus Christ ... Our Lord -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son,
Suffered ... Dead ... Buried -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son
He Descended Into Hell -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son
He Rose Again -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son
He Ascended -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son
He Shall Come To Judge -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son
The Holy Ghost -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in the Holy Ghost...."
The Holy Catholic Church -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
We have stretched from the sublime, soaring through the heights of creation with almighty God; we ha
The Communion Of Saints -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of Saints...." Those last two
The Forgiveness Of Sins -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of
The Resurrection Of The Body -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
"I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of
The Life Everlasting -- David E. Leininger -- 2008
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him s

Biblical Study

SermonStudio

No False Witness -- Deuteronomy 19:16-21 -- David E. Leininger -- 2007
If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse a man of a crime, the two men involved in the di
No Covetousness -- Matthew 6:24-33 -- David E. Leininger -- 2007
No one can serve two masters.
No Stealing -- Exodus 22:1-4 -- David E. Leininger -- 2007
If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must pay back five head of cat
No Adultery -- John 8:2-11 -- David E. Leininger -- 2007
At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he
No Murder -- Genesis 9:1-7 -- David E. Leininger -- 2007
Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill
Honoring Parents -- Mark 7:1-13 -- David E. Leininger -- 2007
The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jes
God's Name -- Matthew 5:33-37 -- David E. Leininger -- 2007
Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "Do not break your oath, but keep
The Sabbath -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- David E. Leininger -- 2007
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they bega
No Idols! -- Isaiah 44:9-17 -- David E. Leininger -- 2007
All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless.
One God, Only One -- Matthew 19:16-22 -- David E. Leininger -- 2007
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Clouded Vision -- Acts 1:1-11, Acts 16:16-34 -- David E. Leininger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
There is an ancient apocryphal story about Jesus' arrival at the Pearly Gates following the As
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
Struggling With Depression -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Luke 8:26-39 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
It is a depressing world out there.
The Uses and Abuses of Power -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
We cannot read much in the newspaper or watch the evening news without encountering some reference t

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Clouded Vision -- Acts 1:1-11, Acts 16:16-34 -- David E. Leininger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
There is an ancient apocryphal story about Jesus' arrival at the Pearly Gates following the As
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
Struggling With Depression -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Luke 8:26-39 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
It is a depressing world out there.
The Uses and Abuses of Power -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
We cannot read much in the newspaper or watch the evening news without encountering some reference t

Preaching

The Immediate Word

Clouded Vision -- Acts 1:1-11, Acts 16:16-34 -- David E. Leininger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
There is an ancient apocryphal story about Jesus' arrival at the Pearly Gates following the As
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
Struggling With Depression -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Luke 8:26-39 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
It is a depressing world out there.
The Uses and Abuses of Power -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
We cannot read much in the newspaper or watch the evening news without encountering some reference t

Sermon

SermonStudio

Christmas Construction -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- David E. Leininger -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Ancient Babylon is the setting for our text.
Do You Hear What I Hear? -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- David E. Leininger -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Years ago, a wise teacher of preachers advised us to prepare our sermons with the Bible in one hand

The Immediate Word

Clouded Vision -- Acts 1:1-11, Acts 16:16-34 -- David E. Leininger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
There is an ancient apocryphal story about Jesus' arrival at the Pearly Gates following the As
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
Struggling With Depression -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Luke 8:26-39 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
It is a depressing world out there.
The Uses and Abuses of Power -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
We cannot read much in the newspaper or watch the evening news without encountering some reference t

Stories

StoryShare

Where Have All The Good Samaritans Gone? -- Luke 10:25-37, Colossians 1:1-14, Amos 7:7-17, Psalm 82 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2022
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Follow The Star -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Psalm 29 -- David E. Leininger, David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Rick McCracken-Bennett, Frank R. Fisher -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2022
Note: This installment was originally published in 2007.Contents

SermonStudio

Repressive Religion -- Luke 13:10-17 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2009
I wish it were not so, but it is. Religion can be horribly repressive sometimes.
The Legacy Of Jesus -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- David E. Leininger -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2009
A certain widow expected to inherit all her late husband's wealth.
When God Overdoes It -- Lamentations 1:1-6 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2009
A couple of years ago, a fascinating book by Mitch Albom hit the bestseller lists, Tuesdays with
Choosing A God -- 1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2009
For sheer drama, there is little in fact or fiction that can surpass the stories of Elijah in 1 King
Eyes Up! -- Luke 21:25-36 -- David E. Leininger -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
A bit of a contrast, isn't it? The sweet strains of "Away In A Manger" followed by "...
A Faith That Matters Between Sundays -- Romans 3:19-28 -- David E. Leininger -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2009
On October 31, 1571, an Augustinian monk by the name of Martin Luther marched up to the castle churc
Year-Round Christmas -- 1 Kings 17:1-24 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2009
"When elephants fight, the grass suffers." So goes an old African proverb.1 The elephants in questio
The Speed Bump On The Road To Bethlehem -- Luke 3:1-6 -- David E. Leininger -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
In the movie Life Or Something Like It,1 every day at the corner of Fourth and Sanders in dow
The Forgiveness Business -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2009
It's a wonderful story. At least, it is to me. Others might not like it so well.
Ready Or Not, Here He Comes! -- Luke 3:7-18 -- David E. Leininger -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
John is an amazing character, isn't he? Not what we would expect as we come up to Christmas.
Our Family Inheritance -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2009
We speak of being "baptized into Christ." Baptized ... wanna fight? Let's talk about baptism.
The News From Nazareth -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- David E. Leininger -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer...." We hear a lot about old Rudy these days.
Lust -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2009
Remember the furor that arose a few years ago when Jimmy Carter was interviewed by Playboy ma
The Trouble With Stables -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- David E. Leininger -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2009
What do you know about stables? They are not pretty places. The light is not that good.
Greed -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2009
Scripture offers a wealth (if I may use that term) of material about greed, about the love of money
Silly Goose -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- David E. Leininger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2009
Great words -- as succinct a description as can be found anywhere of what we are called to be and do
The Good Samaritan -- Luke 10:25-37 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2009
This is a familiar story.
God's Picture -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- David E. Leininger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2009
An old story has it that a little boy was feeling very lonesome for his father.
A Tale Of Two Sisters -- Luke 10:38-42 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2009
With a title like "A Tale Of Two Sisters," this should open with something like, "It was the best of
The Gospel By Starlight -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- David E. Leininger -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2009
"Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?
God's Plans -- Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- David E. Leininger -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2009
Martin Luther considered Psalm 118 his favorite. He wrote, "This is the psalm that I love ...
Washed Clean -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- David E. Leininger -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2009
You may have seen the movie that came out several years ago called O Brother, Where Art Thou?
The Judas Gene -- John 18:1--19:42 -- David E. Leininger -- Good Friday - C -- 2009
Why did Judas do it? Was it the money, the thirty pieces of silver?

Worship

The Immediate Word

Clouded Vision -- Acts 1:1-11, Acts 16:16-34 -- David E. Leininger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
There is an ancient apocryphal story about Jesus' arrival at the Pearly Gates following the As
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
Struggling With Depression -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Luke 8:26-39 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
It is a depressing world out there.
The Uses and Abuses of Power -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
We cannot read much in the newspaper or watch the evening news without encountering some reference t
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For August 17, 2025:
  • When Good News Is Bad News by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Charles Darwin believed that the two most significant achievements in human history were the development of language and the harnessing of fire. Today we apply both, language and the symbol of fire, to our understanding of the gospel.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Isaiah 5:1-7
David Coffin
When does the status quo no longer seem to be working? In her book, The Last Flight Julie Clark begins with the seemingly flawlessly choreographed life of Claire Cook, the wife of a wealthy politician at the peak of this political dynasty. Despite the elegant surroundings of the Manhattan townhouse, staff of ten servants, life behind closed doors is different. Her husband Rory has a hot temper, and is abusive. There is also the memory of the mysterious death of his first wife.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? (Jeremiah 23:26)

You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12:56)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A fire extinguisher.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started. But I need to warn you that this is a really strange story. At least the things that Jesus says sound really strange. But let’s see if we can figure out what the story is really all about.

(Show the fire extinguisher.)  This is a little reminder that sometimes it is really hard to follow Jesus and do what he wants us to do!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that life would not be easy for Christians, but calls us to stand up for our beliefs. In our worship today let us acknowledge and explore the difficulties of standing as a Christian in today's society.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we find it easier to go with the flow than to stand against other people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the number of people who ignore you.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Advent 4, Cycle A, and Advent 1, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)

William E. Keeney
49"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53they will be divided:
father against son
and son against father,
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her
Elizabeth Achtemeier
This passage is famously known as Isaiah's "Song of the Vineyard." It begins with the prophet singing, in what we would describe as troubadour-fashion, a love song about his dod, his friend, the beloved. Everyone is interested in a love affair, of course, and so the song is intended to capture the interest of Isaiah's listeners.
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
What can faith do? It can part a raging sea and allow a nation to walk through. What can faith do? It can knock down the walls of a fortified city so that God can prove a point. What can faith do? It can single out a woman who follows God's lead and protect her from certain death. Today many people are into "reality" television shows where individuals are put to extreme tests. We watch them because we like to see others battle against great odds and come out victorious.

Special Occasion

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